On Wednesday evening, NALSAR University of Law in the city hosted the screening of Umar Khalid’s documentary ‘Prisoner Number 626710 is Present’, which had previously been called off at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) and the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru (NLSIU).
Organised independently by a group of students, the “solidarity screening” aimed to create a space for direct dialogue on themes from the film, such as rights, accountability, and the toll of extended detention, while expressing solidarity with individuals impacted by shortcomings in the justice system.
This screening was a private event just for students.
A student emailed the Times of India (TOI) saying, “This documentary brings up major worries regarding the slow justice system and undertrial inmates who spend years in detention before their trials even start.”
The email went on to say, “Living in prison for six years without a trial means the delay itself is a severe denial of justice. Using the law without a conviction must not and cannot act as a violent weapon. The legal procedure itself must not turn into the punishment.”
Students of NALSAR have called upon student unions of all universities to host similar screenings of this documentary.
This documentary failed to get certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). According to the Board, screening an uncertified film breaches the Cinematograph Act unless a special waiver is secured. Last week, the screening at IIIT-H was called off after CBFC flagged the issue on X.
The institute later clarified that the management had neither organised nor sanctioned the proposed event. Similarly, at NLSIU, an event previously deferred was eventually scrapped after organisers stated they faced threats of criminal proceedings, intimidation, doxxing, and other harassment.
Also Read: UGC NET June 2026 E-Certificate Released; Check Download Process and Details
